Tony and Obie Award-winning director Kenny Leon will direct the world premiere production of “King James” by Rajiv Joseph presented by Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum. A co-production with Steppenwolf Theatre Company,  “King James”  will play June 1 through July 3, 2022 (opening June 8) following its run at Steppenwolf March 3 through April 10, 2022. “King James” was co-commissioned by Center Theatre Group and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. 

Basketball great “King” LeBron James’s reign in Cleveland brings promise, prosperity and renewal to a city in desperate need of all three. It also brings together two friends who communicate best when they are talking and arguing about sports. “King James” is an intimate exploration of the place that sports and athletes occupy in our emotional lives and relationships. It explores the star player’s impact on Cleveland, from his rookie season to the city’s historic championship, and the lives of these two unlikely friends whose turbulent relationship is best navigated through their shared love of the sport in a verbal game of one on one. Though he is never seen in the show, LeBron James serves as a symbol for the hopes, desires and fears that they have bottled up since childhood.